Last night, Wednesday the 7th of December 2022, Oakham Town Council voted against the proposal to 'agree in principal' to the building of a skatepark at Centenary Field, Oakham.

The decision provoked an outcry at the ROL House Council meeting and on social media, with many residents questioning why Jon Dixon's skatepark proposal was ousted.

Local resident Karen Payne shared her "disappointment" that the Council offered "no real reasons" why they voted against the skatepark proposal, adding that she had "witnessed a very sad, retrograde step for Oakham and its young people. Thank you for all your hard work Jon Dixon, please don't give up."

Linda Burton posted on a local community site: "My first town council meeting and have come away wondering who the councillors actually represent. A very disappointing vote. I think councillors have let it be known they have no interest in supporting the towns youngsters."

Councillors who voted in favour are:

• Cllr Romney
• Cllr Nealson

Those who voted against are:

• Cllr Lowe
• Cllr Toseland 
• Cllr Buxton
• Cllr Wadsworth

Two Councillors abstained, which Karen deemed "the same as voting against": 

• Cllr Garwood
• Cllr Nix

Long-time Oakham resident Joyce Lucas added: "I believe that after a full debate on this subject, Councillors should have made up their minds and NOT abstain!!"

Find out more about the vote here.

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